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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 25: Julian Nagelsmann, head coach of Germany, reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Germany closed out the group stage with a 1-2 loss to Ecuador, that snapped the country’s previous 11-game winning streak. Julian Nagelsmann opted to field a lineup with just two changes in order to keep building the team’s chemistry but this did not result in a cohesive performance. Instead, despite a goal from Leroy Sané in the second minute, the team looked disconnected and struggled to create much of anything. The defense was solid but a midfield concession led to a wonderful strike by Nilson Angulo and a set piece routine saw Gonzalo Plata stab the ball home, undoing the good Germany’s backline had previously done to lead to a 2-1 defeat. Here are the match awards:
Jersey Swap: Moisés Caicedo
Moisés Caicedeo has earned a reputation as a tough tackling defensive midfielder and he certainly played his part in stifling Germany today, but he stood out more for the calmness he displayed on the ball. He ran the midfield as Germany’s midfielders floundered.
Der Kaiser: Jonathan Tah
Being a defender can be so difficult because one mistake can ruin things. Jonathan Tah was the only Germany player who enjoyed a strong first half, putting in numerous blocks, interventions and interceptions to keep Ecuador at bay. The Bayern Munich player made a bad mistake in the second half that nearly cost Germany a goal and he was too slow to react as Plata stabbed the ball home from close range for the winning goal.
Despite these mistakes, he was still Germany’s best defender.
Der Fußballgott: Angelo Stiller
Angelo Stiller did not start the match, instead sitting on the bench to watch Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha struggle. He entered the game at half time and helped steady the midfield somewhat while making a couple of crucial interventions in defense. He was not exceptional, but again, nothing extraordinary was required to be Germany’s best midfielder on the day.
Der Bomber: Leroy Sané
Leroy Sané has come under a lot of criticism in the 2026 World Cup and he was not much better today than in previous games. It is still clear that he lacks confidence. He failed to complete even a single one of his dribbles and he fluffed another good opportunity in the way he usually does: Making a good run followed by good control and a confidence lacking any confidence whatsoever.
But he scored the only goal of the game. So that is something.
Meister of the Match: Nobody
Nobody truly stood out. None of the starting XI nor the substitutes put in the kind of performance that is expected from a player that puts on the Germany shirt. Not even Deniz Undav could revitalize this team. Even Jonathan Tah, the one really good player early on, struggled in the second half. The team was sent out today in order to build chemistry but if all the players play this badly then clearly a lot is still missing.
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